Page 120 of Off Limits
‘Serenity,’ I whisper.
‘I love you,’ she says back, pressing into me, holding me tighter, and every muscle in my body tenses up, like I’m about to explode. ‘I know it’s only been a short time. I know we’ve only slept together twice. I know it’s probably too soon, but I do,’ she murmurs. ‘I love you, Jake.’
I pull back and search her face. If I could bottle how she looks at this moment, I would. Dewy-eyed and beautiful in the moonlight. She bites down on her bottom lip and looks like she might start crying again, or like she might have said something wrong.
‘I love yousomuch,’ I say roughly, because the words are raw at the back of my throat, and because I’ve never felt this way before her. I didn’t know a person could feel that strongly for another human being until she was standing there in that grocery store that day, and those feelings have only gotten stronger every second I’ve spent in her presence. ‘I would do anything for you.’
Her face lights up. In my heart, I know she feels the same way. ‘You already did,’ she says.
My heart swells. That we’ve exchanged those three little words only strengthens my resolve. And I know exactly who I need to call.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Serenity
My phone flashes up another message from Brody.
Can’t wait to bury myself in that sweet wet pussy of yours tomorrownight.
At the wheel of my C-Max, my skin crawls. On any other night, I’d be driving, on my way to Surly’s. Thursday nights are always busy at the club. So, it feels surreal that instead, I don’t have to dance for tips and I’m driving around the wide streets of Boulder Creek after dark, trying to locate an address that Jake has instructed me to go to. I think about parking in some shady spot and walking the rest of the way. Except that I know I need to start being honest with people: I used to be a stripper, and I drive a shitty car. A shitty car that’s making weird noises as I crawl along the curb.
Brody’s message aside, my stomach is tied up in knots. I know who we’re seeing tonight, and what we’re gonna say. I know Jake is right, that it’s time we fessed up. It doesn’t make me any less nervous.
Jake requested the meeting. Asked specific individuals to show, because he had something confidential to tell them. But, to ensure they would all agree, he hasn’t mentioned my name. And they don’t know it’s me who is gonna show up at the door.
When I reach the house, it’s stunning, just as I knew it would be. A gated property, with a white front, lit up from the outside, and a substantial, paved driveway with several cars parked up, including Jake’s pickup. This is what years of being an NFL quarterback gets you. I park my car and push down the nerves threatening to spill over.
I brought flowers. Seemed like the sort of thing you do if you live in this neighborhood.
Before I ring the doorbell, I gulp a breath. There’s no going back now.
A pretty, petite blonde woman opens the door. ‘Hi!’ she beams at me. ‘Come on in!’
I step inside, taking in the impressive hallway, like something you see on all those home shows for the rich and famous.
‘I’m Ally,’ she says, holding out her hand. ‘Ally Briar.’
‘I’m Serenity.’
‘You’re CMC, right?’ she asks, and there’s a glint in her eye when she says it. I can’t work out if she’s surprised or excited.
I smile back at her. ‘Right. It’s my rookie year.’
‘Well, come on in.’
‘These are for you,’ I say, and hand her the flowers.
She blushes. ‘You’re too sweet. They’re beautiful, thank you. Come on through.’
I swallow. I follow her into a living room with sliding glass doors and a high, vaulted ceiling. It’s like something you’d see in a magazine.
Dalton Briar and Hudson Briar get to their feet. Dalton’s looking at me with a raised brow. I’ve never spoken to him before, but he knows I’m CMC, and everybody knows who he is. Hudson Briar stands there with his legs wide apart, his thumbs pressed together, stoic. Up close, he’s even bigger than he looks on the field.
I glance to my right and find myself looking at Harmony, who is already standing. She looks both surprised and distinctly uncomfortable, and has purposefully distanced herself from the men in the room, her back pressed into one corner.
And then there’s Jake. My Jake. He’s standing with his back to the fireplace, but he’s looking at me.
‘Hey,’ he says softly.
